UCL

Best & Phoenix

British Guiana | Demerara

Estate Details

Associated People (5)

The dates listed below have different categories as denoted by the letters in the brackets following each date. Here is a key to explain those letter codes:

  • SD - Association Start Date
  • SY - Association Start Year
  • EA - Earliest Known Association
  • ED - Association End Date
  • EY - Association End Year
  • LA - Latest Known Association
1817 [EA] - 1834 [LA] → Executor
Joseph Beete of Clifton
1817 [EA] - 1817 [LA] → Previous owner
Joseph Beete of Demerary
1825 [EA] - → Attorney
Benjamin Harper
1826 [EA] - 1826 [LA] → Not known
James Baillie of Bedford Square

The apparent ownership attribution in 1826 to James Baillie appears inconsistent with other sources on this estate, which indicate a continuous interest of Joseph Beete (q.v.): James Baillie was in fact one of the mortgagees of the property. Joseph Beete was involved with James Baillie as his attorney on other estates.

1832 [EA] - 1837 [LA] → Joint owner
William Denholm Dalzell

In his will proved in 1837 William Denholm Dalzell said his deceased wife 'Mrs Jane Beete' had conveyed to him an interest in Best & Phoenix in Demerara.

Associated Claims (1)

British Guiana 688 (Best & Phoenix)
£17,591 12S 6D

Estate Information (5)

What is this?

1817
[Number of enslaved people] 507(Tot) 204(F) 303(M)  
[Name] Best & Phoenix  
 

Registered by Joseph Beete exor. to the estate of J. Beete. Joseph Beete also registered a further 96 enslaved people (58M 38F) as proprietor, T71/397 B5 943.

 
T71/397 B5 929
1823
[Number of enslaved people] 473(Tot) 200(F) 273(M)  
[Name] Best & Phoenix  
 

Mungo McPherson in behalf of atty. sick

 
T71/413 B3
1826
[Number of enslaved people] 431(Tot) 191(F) 240(M)  
[Name] Best & Phoenix  
 

Benjamin Harper, attorney to James Baillie [sic], signed by Mungo McPherson in the absence of Benjamin Harper. The ownership attribution to James Baillie appears inconsistent with other sources on this estate, which indicate a continuous interest of Joseph Beete (q.v.): Joseph Beete was involved with James Baillie as attorney on other estates.

 
T71/414 266-276
1828
[Mortgage] 00/00/0000  
 

West Sussex Record Office, COWDRAY/4928 Title: Letter from Messrs. Hall, McGarel & Co., and the representatives of 'the late Firm' of Baillie Thornton & Campbell, to William King, esq., and John Abel Smith, esq., concerning the arrangements for the taking up of the mortgage debt of Joseph Beete secured by the said 'late Firm' upon estates in Demerara [British Guiana] called Best, Phoenix and Miracca, upon which £32,000 'or thereabouts' remains due. This sum is to be invested in the purchase of Exchequer Bills to be deposited in the hands of said William King and John Abel Smith for certain specified purposes. Date: 28 Jan 1828

1832
[Number of enslaved people] 348(Tot) 169(F) 179(M)  
[Name] Best & Phoenix  
 

Belonging to Pln Best & Phoenix, in lawful possession of the heirs of Joseph Beete [by Jos Beete, one of the heirs].

 
T71/431 858-866